Italy-headed industrial group MARIE S.p.A (MARIE Group) has announced that its Group subsidiary NextChem, through its subsidiary MyRechemical, a key player in the Waste-to-Chemical segment, has been selected by Mana Group and Equinor to conduct a feasibility study for a waste-to-methanol plant at the Equinor Mongstad refinery in Norway.
According to a statement, the joint Mana/Equinor project will use the “NX Circular” technology to convert urban and industrial waste into chemical-grade syngas that will be further processed to produce low-carbon methanol.
The facility is expected to produce circular methanol with a low carbon footprint, eligible under the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) criteria.
This methanol could initially replace marine bunker fuel to meet the targets of the FuelEU Maritime regulation, exempting final users from buying Emission Trading System (ETS) credits and paying penalties.
Potentially, this methanol could be used as feedstock for methanol-to-jet facilities to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) compliant with the FuelEU Aviation regulation.
As a technology integrator and service provider, NextChem will deliver the feasibility study to Mana/Equinor, providing the technical and economic evaluation of waste gasification and the subsequent purification of syngas for methanol production.
We are proud to support this early-stage strategic partnership to explore the potential to develop the Nordics’ first large-scale waste-to-methanol project at Mongstad, Norway. Northern Europe represents an ideal context for replicable and scalable industrial projects, with tangible environmental and industrial benefits, commented Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of NextChem.
